In a significant move to support the preservation of Indigenous languages, Pakistan, along with Saudi Arabia, is embracing initiatives that foster greater usage and promotion of these languages across educational and cultural platforms.
Daniel Abugre Anyorigya, a journalist and language advocate, has emerged as a prominent figure in this movement. As a co-founder of the Gurene Wikimedia Community, he emphasizes the value of the Gurene language, also known as Farfare, which is spoken by over 660,000 individuals primarily in northern Ghana and parts of southern Burkina Faso. He believes that the digital world is vital for the survival of languages like Gurene, which currently face challenges in their presence online.
Diving deeper into his journey, Daniel describes the Gurene Wikimedia Community's approach to increasing online content in the Gurene language. The community engages in creating and translating content for Gurene Wikipedia, while also utilizing platforms like Wikimedia Commons to showcase the rich culture associated with the language. This includes uploading media such as audio pronunciations and videos that encapsulate the essence of Gurene heritage.
Simultaneously, in a related initiative stemming from Saudi Arabia, Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University has launched the “Sofara Al-Arabiya” program, aimed at developing Arabic language skills among non-native speakers on international scholarships. This program reflects a recognition of the Arabic language’s cultural significance globally. Dr. Ahmed Al-Ameri, the university’s president, indicated that this initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, focusing on enhancing the presence and influence of the Arabic language.
Dr. Al-Ameri expressed that the university is committed to illuminating the status of Arabic as a key player in cultural identity, stating, “This initiative comes within the framework of the university’s commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to highlighting the status of the Arabic language and its culture globally.”
The initiative specifically targets international students and promotes learning Arabic as a living language that can express authentic Arab culture. Programs include creative writing, publishing poetry collections, and engaging students in cultural events, all designed to equip fresh graduates to communicate effectively in Arabic.
Dr. Khaled Al-Khara’n, dean of the College of Arabic Language at IMSIU, emphasized how the program will deeply enrich the language learning experience for participants. He noted, “It seeks to promote the learning of Arabic as a living language capable of expressing authentic Arab culture.”
As part of the groundbreaking efforts, Mohammed Al-Ammar, the initiative director, laid out a vision for Arabic’s future influence in educational and cultural arenas, commenting, “The initiative seeks to build bridges of communication with scholarship graduates to enhance the future impact of the Arabic language in their countries.”
In terms of challenges, both Abugre and the educators involved in language preservation at IMSIU are attentive to the obstacles within their respective initiatives. Daniel highlighted the struggles in obtaining secondary sources to support online content creation, which has led to frequent rejections of submissions. He stated, “The lack of secondary sources to support our edits on English Wikipedia leads to frequent rejections.” His community is combating this by encouraging the documentation of local knowledge and creating literature to enhance the online repository for Gurene.
For the Arabic program, Dr. Abdullah Al-Asmari, vice rector for education affairs, pointed out the need for continuous adaptation to modern demands while promoting language education. He stated, “Investing in Arabic language education represents a cultural responsibility that requires continuous interaction with changing circumstances of the era.”
Both movements signify a larger, shared vision: to see Indigenous languages thrive and be recognized globally. Daniel Abugre Anyorigya and the Gurene Wikimedia Community, along with the efforts of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, are vigorously working toward interconnected goals in language preservation and cultural representation.
As the enthusiasm and commitment towards fostering these languages amplify, it paints a hopeful picture for the future of Indigenous languages worldwide. Their initiatives serve not just to enhance academic dialogue or cultural exchanges; they represent broader movements towards recognizing and preserving human identities tied predominantly to language.
